Petaloúdes, Butterfly Valley, Rhodes, Greece by dancing_triss

The Wonderful Butterfly Valley

One of the most visited areas in Rhodes is the beautiful Butterfly Valley. It’s a natural park that is situated deep within the gorgeous forest where the wonderful Panaxia butterflies are scattered about. If you visit during August you’ll notice a huge increase in the amount of Panaxia butterflies. This is the prime time of their reproduction. The sight of millions of butterflies fluttering all throughout the region is quite a beautiful sight to see. Anyone who loves butterflies, gorgeous fauna and an all-around good time will appreciate a beautiful stroll through this area.

Rest Areas

During your nature trail you may want to stop and take a rest; you’ll have no shortage of areas to get a bite to eat and relax. There is a restaurant and cafeteria section that will offer you some great options for a memorable lunch.  You can also visit the butterfly museum and learn all about the reproduction cycles and details about the Panaxia butterflies. It’s very important that you do not disturb the butterflies of the region at any time during your trip as they are highly protected by wildlife authorities. You should always be respectful of nature when you’re visiting these types of areas.

Butterfly in Petaloudes (Butterfly Valley), Rhodes, Greece by dancing_triss

What to Bring Along

It’s a good idea to bring along a camera as your hiking trail is certain to be filled with many beautiful sights. An evening nature stroll through the park is ideal as it will allow you to snap some of the most beautiful pictures. Using flash is not recommended as it can disturb the butterflies of the region. The rocky terrain can be a bit hard on your feet, so you want to be certain that you have a good set of shoes for the trail.

Author Byline:

Randy Johnson has worked for many hotels in Rhodes Greece and has experience in travel planning.

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1. London Transport Museum

For centuries, Londoners have traversed their city by boat, by road, by rail and, of course, underground. Immerse yourself in a journey through those centuries at the London Transport Museum, where amazing exhibits tell the city’s travel stories. Here you’ll find a sedan chair, dating from 1800, which was London’s first licensed public transport and a horse-drawn omnibus, models of the boats that once sailed across and up and down the Thames, steam engines and railway coaches. Not simply a museum for boys of all ages, the London Transport Museum is living history with amusing anecdotal displays, and examples of the innovations in transport that transformed London life. The museum is in the Covent Garden Piazza.

London Transport Museum / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Loz Pycock

2. Freud Museum

In 1938, Sigmund Freud, regarded as the father of psychoanalysis, fled his Vienna home from the Nazis and went into exile in London with his family. Today, his Hampstead residence provides a fascinating glimpse into his life with his study, complete with couch, preserved as it was during his lifetime. There are more than 2,000 antiquities of Greek, Roman, Oriental and Egyptian origin to examine, while an upstairs room is devoted to his daughter, Anna, who lived and worked here until she died in 1982.

3. Fashion and Textile Museum

Iconic designer Zandra Rhodes founded the Fashion and Textile Museum to showcase London’s contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery. Its exhibitions change regularly, although there is a permanent display of Rhodes’ creations. The museum – run by Newham College – also offers courses for students and acts as a network for the fashion and jewellery industries. Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta designed the museum building, which is situated in Bermondsey, south London.

4. Handel House Museum

From 1723 until his death in 1759, the composer George Handel lived at 25 Brook Street, London. Here, he composed some of his finest works – and indeed some of the greatest and most recognisable music in history – including Music for the Royal Fireworks, Messiah and Zadok the Priest (you might know it better as the theme for football’s Champions League!). The beautifully restored Georgian interior reflects Handel’s era while weekly concerts and special events bring live music back to this historic house – the upstairs rooms were once home to rock legend Jimi Hendrix.

5. Trinity Buoy Wharf and the Faraday Museum 

On the banks of the Thames, Trinity Buoy Wharf was once the site at which all buoys and markers for England’s coast were made and repaired. Its lighthouse is the only one in London and, along with the rest of the Grade II-listed warehouses on the site, has been restored to become part of a creative community that includes artists’ studios and London’s smallest museum, the Faraday Project. This little hut is dedicated to the scientist Michael Faraday, who conducted experiments into electric lighting in the lighthouse in 1863.

This article was brought to you by one of the top luxury hotels in London, Claridge’s – who have been a fixture in the UK’s capital city for well over 100 years.

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The very first moment that you step foot into the Valley of the Butterflies, you will be surrounded by countless species of butterflies. The most common species that can be found within the valley is that of the Callimorpha Quadripunctaria. This particular butterfly is attracted by the storax tree which can be found throughout the Valley.

Butterflies Valley, Greece by Karelj

The storax tree itself produces a unique resin which has an odor similar to that of vanilla, and is most commonly used by the local churches in order to make frankincense. It is this same resin which also attracts the countless butterflies to the region.

During the months of July and August, millions of butterflies make their way to the Valley in order to find their mate and to breed. By September, the butterflies are ready to lay their eggs. The caterpillars, will finally cocoon towards the end of May and undergo metamorphosis to become butterflies shortly thereafter.

And although the butterflies then take off and go their own separate ways, they always return year after year to the Valley of the Butterflies; attracted purely by the aroma of the storax trees. Year after year, locals and people from all over the world also make their way to the Valley; attracted purely by the butterflies themselves.

Valley of the Butterflies, Greece by dancing_triss

The Valley of the Butterflies is a natural part which is filled with numerous walkways, beautiful rivers and trickling streams which meander their way through the countryside, over rocks and every little corner of the Valley. There are rustic bridges, comfortable resting places as well as cafés and gift shops located throughout the area. Anyone who enters the Valley will immediately notice the old windmill near the gate as well as the Kalopetra Monastery.

There is a whole lot more to visiting the Valley of the Butterflies than just seemed butterflies. The region truly is a picturesque destination within Greece. For those who get tired of spending all day long sitting on the beaches, making your way into the interior of the island and checking out the Valley is a great way to add a whole new level to any trip.

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